How do I Rewire a Vintage Table Lamp With the Bulb Inside the Lamp?

Some models of vintage table lamps have the light bulb on the inside of the lamp. When illuminated, the lamp gives off soft light that is the color of the glass body enclosing the bulb. These lamps use the same wiring as a traditional lamp with the socket at the top. Light bulbs and wiring assemblies on the interior of a lamp require removing the bottom and unscrewing the assembly from the bracket for rewiring and installing a new socket. If a vintage lamp needs rewiring it is best to replace the socket and wiring at the same time. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Unplug the lamp from the electrical outlet.

2

Remove any small screws on the bottom of the lamp and remove the metal bottom ring. Slide a small flat screwdriver under the edge of the cardboard circle and lift it off the lamp.

3

Remove the screw in the lamp socket bracket.

4

Pull the lamp wiring assembly out of the lamp from the bottom. Cut the wiring off the bottom with wire cutters leaving about 3 inches below the lamp wiring assembly.

5

Unscrew the bulb and set it aside. Place a small flat screwdriver on the lamp socket set screw. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen it.

6

Grasp the lamp nipple at the bottom of the cord in one hand and turn the cap above it counterclockwise to unscrew it. Pull the socket up to pull the old wiring up through the bottom of the assembly.

7

Unscrew each of the two wires from the socket screws to loosen them. Pull the old wiring off the screws and discard it.

8

Push the new lamp wiring up through the bottom lamp nipple and slide the cap on top of the loose end of wiring.

9

Place the loose end of the wiring on a piece of cardboard on top of a table. Cut a slit in between the two wires in the crevice starting about 8 inches from the end. Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the tip of each individual wire.

10

Hold each loose end of wire in one hand. Make a loop with each of the two wires and pass the loose end of the opposite wire through each loop. This makes an underwriters knot to hold the wiring in place.

11

Wrap the wire with ridges around the silver screw in a clockwise direction. Tighten the screw clockwise with a small flat screwdriver.

12

Wrap the smooth sire around the brass screw in a clockwise direction. Tighten the screw clockwise with a small flat screwdriver.

13

Pull the lamp cord down so the switch seats in the cap. Tighten the set screw in a clockwise direction. Align the slot in the socket cardboard sleeve with the light socket and slide it over the socket. Slide the decorative metal shell over the sleeve aligning the slot with the switch in the same manner.

14

Screw a light bulb into the socket. Insert the assembly from the bottom into the lamp. Insert and tighten the screw in the lamp socket bracket.

15

Place the cardboard on the bottom of the lamp and press the lamp's bottom ring in place. Tighten the screws in the decorative bottom ring by turning them clockwise.

16

Plug the lamp into an electrical outlet. Turn the rotary switch to illuminate the lamp.